Las Vegas Weekly

October 23, 2009 · 2:27 PM

Strip Scribbles: SW Steakhouse’s David Walzog to battle on Iron Chef

By Robin Leach

David Walzog of SW Steakhouse at the Wynn.

Photo: Courtesy

It’s the ultimate challenge in the food world, and Steve Wynn’s executive chef David Walzog of SW Steakhouse was in New York City for a showdown on Food Network’s Iron Chef America to air Sunday. David goes up against chef Cat Cora, who was here at the Bon Appetit festival this year.

I can’t give you even a hint of who conquers and wins, but I can tell you that it will be a frenzy as the two experts compete. SW Steakhouse is the Wynn’s signature steakhouse on the Lake of Dreams.

Incidentally, Wynn chef Paul Bartolotta also will be on TV next week as the guest judge on Bravo’s Top Chef: Las Vegas.

*A surprise flag presentation will be made to singing ventriloquist and impressionist Terry Fator during his Mirage show tonight. Terry has been a strong supporter of our overseas troops and dedicates a part of his show each night to them. He has quietly turned up at numerous fundraising events for them. After introductions of Terry’s new puppets Winston the Turtle and Emma Taylor, pilot Doug Phillips, who flew the flag in Terry’s honor during a night mission on a Chinook helicopter in Iraq, will make the onstage presentation.

*We’ve been following the incredible exploits of 2004 Miss America Ericka Dunlap and her husband Brian Kleinschmidt on Season 15 of CBS’ The Amazing Race. Last Sunday in the Dubai challenges, they wound up in the top two, and this Sunday, fans of the regular Las Vegas visitors will see if they finally clinch the top spot. Ericka, who has been here annually since Miss America moved from Atlantic City three years ago, will be back at Planet Hollywood in January to participate in the 2010 pageant. Click HERE to watch last week’s episode.

*In celebration of Harlequin’s 60th anniversary, the international romance publisher is sponsoring an exhibit of original cover art “The Heart of a Woman: Harlequin Cover Art 1949-2009” that debuts in the Gallerie at the Paris starting tomorrow. The exhibit, on display until Jan. 31, is free to visitors and focuses on the changing shape of desire and fantasy and also on the social meaning and context of the images.

*Congratulations to Las Vegas legend and gaming pioneer Jackie Gaughan, who will celebrate his 89th birthday tomorrow with cake and champagne for friends and guests in the historic lounge of his El Cortez downtown. It’s a six-hour celebration with Jackie, two showgirls and an Elvis impersonator. He’ll pose for a photo with you if you sign his giant birthday card!

Star surveillance

Retired NBA player Gary Payton dined with his family at N9NE Steakhouse in the Palms and ordered the classic Caesar salad and the 8-ounce filet mignon with creamed corn and green beans. For dessert, the family shared the signature s’mores. … Hip-hop harmonica player Bad News Brown surprised guests at Blush in the Wynn with an impromptu performance on the bar. He followed in the footsteps of Flo Rida, Cisco & Shwayze and The Veronicas who have all performed for guests from the bar top.

*Cirque du Soleil has just sold its 30 millionth ticket to one of its Las Vegas shows! It’s a mind-blowing record achievement in the 16 years since Mystere first came to town, and the lucky patrons were Tommy and Rachel Sparger of Springfield, Mo. They won two round-trip tickets to Las Vegas, plus two tickets to see all six Cirque shows here in Vegas and a seven-night stay in a tower suite at Treasure Island.

Now it’s time for our own weekly look at all the other shows and concerts that consistently bring in millions of visitors to our Entertainment Capital of the World we refer to affectionately around here as the ROYAL ROBIN RUNDOWN:

Friday, Oct. 23

*It’s a double dose of country music: Tim McGraw rules the outdoor plaza at The M Resort, and LeAnn Rimes has the second of her six concerts over three weeks at T.I.

*Difficult to believe that U2 has been around for 33 years! U2 teams up their 360 Degree Tour with the Black Eyed Peas at Sam Boyd Stadium. Late night, Will.I.Am will do a deejay set with DJ Z-Trip at his Revolution party in Rain at the Palms, and the entire band, including Fergie, has its after-party at the Bank in the Bellagio.

*Whether he’s solo or doing standup with his comedy pals, Ray Romano always scores with his humor, and he’s at The Mirage for two nights.

*Alice Cooper, the original “Master of Shock Rock,” is at The Orleans through Sunday night with his Theater of Death. The innovative stage show features fake blood, boa constrictors, electric chairs and guillotines in a horror flick, heavy metal, theatrical event. Click HERE for Editor Don Chareunsy’s story and Erik Kabik’s photo gallery from Alice’s mini-concert last night at John Varvatos Bowery NYC in the Hard Rock Hotel that we posted this morning.

*Beloved Las Vegas resident, singer and entertainer Clint Holmes turns the pages of the modern American songbook in his show at Suncoast through Sunday, and singer Jamie O’Neal has three nights at South Point.

*Other music offerings tonight: Gordon Lightfoot and his guitar at Aliante Station; jazz sax player Michael Lington at Santa Fe Station; Tonic at Silverton Casino Lodge; Brand New Manchester Orchestra at House of Blues in Mandalay Bay with The Builders and Butchers; Everlast at Wasted Space in the Hard Rock Hotel; and Stone Temple Pilots at Star of the Desert Arena in Primm.

Party patrol

The City star Whitney Port is bringing her Hollywood and New York girlfriends to party at Jet in The Mirage.

Saturday, Oct. 24

*The Village People are still having fun “In the Navy” and at the “YMCA,” and they’ll let you dance any way you want during their show at Silverton Casino Lodge.

*It’s been 20 years since the last album, but The Steve Miller Band polishes its blues-rock sound to perfection at The Joint in the Hard Rock Hotel. If you ride the “Jet Liner,” you will “Fly Like an Eagle.”

*For nonstop laughter, it’s the genius and riffs of outrageous, foul-mouthed comedian Andrew Dice Clay at the Riviera. His discourse on 7-Eleven will have you on the floor holding your sides!

*Sing along with Rob Thomas from Matchbox Twenty when he goes solo with One Republic and Carolina Liar at The Pearl in the Palms. Carolina Liar also has a concert at Green Valley Ranch.

*UFO lands from an alien world at Boulder Station, Rare Earth plays the Cannery, and a tribute to ABBA is on the smorgasbord at Star of the Desert Arena.

*The Monster Mash Car Bash presented by Blackjack Corvette Club is at the L.V. Hilton for its second annual show raising children’s scholarship funds for autistic schools, while the Las Vegas Car Stars are on display at Fremont Street Experience.

*Fashion icon Betsey Johnson has a one-hour meet-and-greet at her store in Planet Hollywood’s Miracle Mile Shops.

Party patrol

Lil’ Jon brings his signature hip-hop crunk sound to Prive at Planet Hollywood, and Shaggy is the party prince at Pure in Caesars Palace.

Sunday, Oct. 25

*Boys Like Girls are “Love Drunk” with their big hit and are joined by Cobra Starship, Rocket to the Moon, the Maine and Versa Emerge at Henderson Pavilion.

*It’s Siegfried & Roy’s K-9 Metro Trials for our police officers and their four-legged canine pals who protect and serve in the toughest of crime zones. Click HERE for our story posted this morning.

Party patrol

Newlywed reality TV star Khloe Kardashian returns for a second consecutive weekend to host at The Beatles Revolution Lounge in The Mirage, and Gabe Saporta of Cobra Starship performs at the Bank, while his band mates host the after-party.

Monday’s teases

We’ll have our preview of Flamingo headliner Donny Osmond’s double challenge of a jitterbug and a marathon mambo on Week 6 of Dancing With the Stars, plus the Black Eyed Peas party patrol after their concert with U2, and our welcome home interview with Mayor Oscar Goodman on arrival as the British Airways’ inaugural direct flight lands from London.

Robin Leach has been a journalist for more than 50 years and has spent the past decade giving readers the inside scoop on Las Vegas, the world’s premier platinum playground.

Follow Robin Leach on Twitter HERE.

Follow Vegas DeLuxe on Twitter HERE.

Follow VDLX Editor Don Chareunsy on Twitter HERE.

Share This